Recovering Our Children (Part III)

It’s been 2.5 weeks since we started the elimination diet on the kids we’re recovering from autism spectrum. The diet is going … really well. It’s hard work – but so far, it’s been very much worth it.

If anyone doesn’t think food affects you. They should have been here the day following a cross contamination of my son with canned coconut milk. Honestly, I’ve had several “slips” where my kids kindly remind me. “Mom, I can’t have sweet potatoes.” or “Mom, I can’t have chicken…” But this particular day – I made sorbet… and I just completely forgot. (I don’t make this mistake again!)

My joyful, thoughtful son, turned into a monster for a 24 hour period. It reminded me of my self on nightshades. Grouchy, ugly, unable to focus, and just a real turd – for a lack of a better word. It wasn’t until my daughter said… “Mom, the sorbet… didn’t it have coconut?”

*Face-pop*

UGH. Dairy, gluten and processed sugars are no-brainers because they ruin the gut lining, but now that THAT has happened… it gets a little tricky with foods that are normally GOOD for you. We’re not talking soda-pop, just cold-pressed, unrefined, organic coconut. No coconut oil, no coconut milk, no flour or shredded coconut.

I also made that birthday cake (or actually two options) for my daughter’s 4th birthday, and both of those turned out great. I avoided coconut, and almonds and eggs… and came up with two really yummy options that were well received. The major “offender” that day was the honey – but I really felt like they did well, and probably minimally they will do ok with it. IT’s the over use and abuse of it that causes problems… especially with what we’re trying to deal with.

Speaking of that. We got to meet with our doctor this past week, and we went over all of our blood and urine testing so far.

First off, all of the kids were super high in manganese. This contributes to many neurological issues – and disease, including Parkinson’s. Their suspect is our rural water, but it can also be in well water. Thankfully we got a Berkey water filter, just a short while after we sent off the kid’s samples, so they will be retested in 6 months just to see if that has helped. In the mean time, we’re considering having our water tested.

Secondly, yeast over growth and malnutrition. Two huge ones that go together.

They tested for many types of yeast, so several of the kids had various specific ones that were high. When any yeast over growth occurs whacky things can happen – like the yeast can take essential amino acids and turn them into things like aspirin in your stomach!

Yikes.

Yes. That was happening.

So things like lacking Tyrosine (an essential amino acid), that you need to avoid things like OCD, proper thyroid function and anxiety… aren’t existent, no matter how much good food you’re eating. This explains the extra weird “jerking” movements, and things that look like a tic of sorts, and issues with things like a change of the schedule, or not knowing what to do in new situations without an emotional shut down. Then there is the oxalate imbalance it causes – very common with kids who have autism (and who have had severe reactions to mercury in vaccinations) as well. Read about that here.

With some yeast over growth (candida over growth) you might never feel satiated while eating. Your body will feed off of extra protein and sugars that you eat and make more yeast, making you think you’re STILL hungry – until you get a strong probiotic to get that monster under control. This can lead to being over weight and feeling out of control.

The kids are now on a powerful 25 Billion probiotic daily. We have dealt with some die-off issues, and have also done some detox baths (with Epsom salts and Apple Cider Vinegar) to help with the headaches.

With the malnutrition, it’s not just the amino acids, and not gaining weight, or height/development in areas – its vital vitamins for their immune system that are low too. We have been taking extra of all of these things – but they’re not enough. So, we’re taking “therapy levels” of these things to get them up to par.

Other than the fish oil, I can break the capsules and just put them in their morning smoothie. Again, time-consuming – but worth it as we work through supporting and rebalancing their guts.

There are other things we need to address, including some low dopamine, and serotonin, as well as some neurotransmitter issues, detoxing issues and a need for glutathione. This is where we are starting (with the food adjustments, supplements and exercises).

When I bought up MY gut during pregnancy being partly the blame for the issues at hand she reminded me that it was probably more like MY grandmother, and my own mother’s gut health for why the kids were at the level they were, as well the current toxin level in our country – especially in regards to vaccines, and over use of medicines. The good news (and I’d say this is great news) that while the kids will have to be very careful with their diets for the rest of their lives, and toxin loads … THEIR own children will have a better chance at a strong immune system and healthy gut, and avoiding auto immune diseases. So the investment for our kids and their kids and so on – is totally worth it for us.

We feel really good about things and the direction they’re going now. The kids are progressing well on their exercises, which help them over come some reflex issues that were not fully developed at birth. IF your child was on antibiotics that first year of life, or had any other toxin trauma or illness, it’s a great thing to check out. It can affect their coordination, hand writing, their ability to learn may things and just how they process things. There are several exercises the kids do – including the starfish (shown here), snow angel, figure eights, deep breathing, knee tapping/marching. If you look up ADHD and Autism exercises, you’re bound to find a lot of info. These are also discussed in the book “Disconnected Kids”.

The next two kids in line finished their OATS testing today, and we’ll be sending that in tomorrow. Five of the kids will be seen at the next 2 month appointment.

OATS (Organic Acids Testing) check for yeast and fungal markers, Malabsorption and Bacterial Markers, Metabolites, Oxidation levels, nutritional markers, Detoxification issues, and amino acid metabolites. Lots of great stuff in there needed to rebalance your gut – so you can absorb that great food you’re eating!!

Thankful to God for our productive week and all that God has planned through this process. Healthy for Him!

“So then, brothers,we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.For if you live according to the flesh you will die,

but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sonsof God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,

but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”